Cebuano Go gains share of lead despite sloppy outing on 18th hole

CEBUANO ace golfer, Lloyd Jefferson Go bucked a disastrous 18th hole performance to gain a share of the lead with RJ Talud as both carded identical three-over-par 64s at the start of the Philex Northern Luzon Regional Championships at the Baguio Golf and Country Club in Baguio City yesterday.

Go, a member of the national team and a pillar of the Cebu Country Club squad that won the championship in the PAL Interclub earlier this year, hit three birdies but fumbled with four bogeys at the short but tough up-and-down layout before closing with a double-bogey 5 on the 18th for a 34-30 card.

Talud, a jungolfer based in the United States, turned in the same output that featured three birdies against a double-bogey on No. 4 and four bogeys, including on the tricky finishing hole, to grab a share of the lead in the 54-hole event.

However, three players – Raymond Gonzales Jr., Lawrence Celestino and Gabriel Manotoc, stood just a stroke behind at 65, ensuring a spirited battle for top honors in the tournament sanctioned by the National Golf Association of the Phils. and serving as part of the Globe Amateur Golf Circuit.

Gonzales, another US-based 17-year-old shotmaker, actually led the field at the turn with a 33 but made two bogeys and one double bogey at the back for a 32, while Celestino bogeyed No. 17 for a 35-30 card. Manotoc made three straight bogeys from No. 12 but came through with gutsy pars the rest of the way to stay in the hunt with a 34-31 round in the first half of a grueling 36-hole stint in the premier class yesterday.

Lanz Uy struggled with a 71 and lay seven strokes off the pace while Phl team mainstay Justin Quiban hobbled with a 73 in a tie with Carlo Quimson in the event held as part of the birth centenary of BGCC founder Nanoy Ilusorio.

Felix Pascual took the lead in the Mid-Amateur class with a 66, two shots ahead of Manny Solis, who had a 68 while Rafael Ding turned in a 70 for third.

Fred Puckett shot a 70 and posted a whopping eight-stroke lead over Mariano Ang, who made a 78, in the Seniors Division with Johnny Fagyan staying way off at 90.  /Correspondent Jonas Panerio